Question

Which lines from “The Chimney Sweeper” (Songs of Innocence) most accurately portray the innocent, naive perspective of the child speaker?
(A) Then naked and white, all their bags left behind,
They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind:
And the angel told Tom, if he’d be a good boy,
He’d have God for his father, and never want joy.
(B) When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry ‘Weep! weep! weep! weep!’
So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.
(C) And by came an angel, who had a bright key,
And he opened the coffins, and set them all free;
Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing, they run
And wash in a river, and shine in the sun.
(D) And so Tom awoke, and we rose in the dark,
And got with our bags and our brushes to work.
Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm:
So, if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

Answer 1

Answer:

The lines from “The Chimney Sweeper” (Songs of Innocence) that most accurately portray the innocent, naive perspective of the child speaker are: “And by came an angel, who had a bright key, And he opened the coffins, and set them all free; Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing, they run And wash in a river, and shine in the sun.” Option C is the correct answer over here.

Explanation:

William Blake’s “The Chimney Sweeper,” is an insight into a corrupt society and a criticised view of the Church. These unprivileged children lead a death-infected life of restriction but in their dreams they are on a green plain where there is pleasure, light, colour and laughter and they are free and running.

The reality is subjected to the darkness of the city life and a capitalist economy. In the lines mentioned above, this is portrayed. The dream helps Tom endure his misery but the poet isn’t ready to commend such a passive acceptance of misery to obtain the happiness of heaven after death .

Answer 2

Answer:

C is the answer!

Explanation: